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 tekramrepus
 
Registered: 02/20/02
Posts: 2,253
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 I need advice for buying a microscope.  1
#22504084 - 11/10/15 08:47 AM (9 years, 26 days ago) |
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So, I have recently gotten into mushroom hunting, and I want to take things a step further, and start using microscopy to identify, and learn more about mushrooms.
I have a 5 year old child, who is also interested in mycology and microscopy, so this will be a tool/purchase for the both of us.
Any brands or specific microscopes that anyone can recommend?
My budget is DEFINITELY less than $100, but ideally I'd like to spend less than $50. Thanks guys!
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micro
bunbun has a gungun
Registered: 05/09/03
Posts: 7,532
Loc: Brick City 
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Re: I need advice for buying a microscope. [Re: tekramrepus] 1
#22506207 - 11/10/15 05:28 PM (9 years, 26 days ago) |
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AmScope has a lot of inexpensive microscopes that are (in my experience) very well-made.
For example, here is one within that budget that goes to 1000X:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/40X-1000X-Cordless-LED-Metal-Frame-Compound-Microscope-w-Top-Bottom-Lights-/400886836707
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Any research paper or book for free
(Avatar is Maxxy, a character by Mizzyam, RIP)
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tekramrepus
Registered: 02/20/02
Posts: 2,253
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Re: I need advice for buying a microscope. [Re: micro]
#22508185 - 11/11/15 07:21 AM (9 years, 25 days ago) |
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Thanks buddy
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tekramrepus
Registered: 02/20/02
Posts: 2,253
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Re: I need advice for buying a microscope. [Re: tekramrepus]
#22508223 - 11/11/15 07:42 AM (9 years, 25 days ago) |
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Also, judging from an old post on shroomery by Anno, it looks like I'll need a microscope with between 400x-1000x magnification.....so the link you provided micro would definitely be a good option.
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 Mushroom Forest
peice of substrate
Registered: 08/18/09
Posts: 87
Loc: SE USA
Last seen: 3 years, 9 months
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Re: I need advice for buying a microscope. [Re: tekramrepus] 1
#22519553 - 11/13/15 07:06 PM (9 years, 23 days ago) |
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I bought a quality used one off eBay for under $50. Only thing is it only goes to 40x magnification on the objective lens.. The eye piece is 10x which only gives 400x total magnification. I know you can get higher mag oculars but that doesn't really help much. My point is, if I could do it again, I would look for one with a higher objective magnification. 400x isn't quite enough for seeing the detail of spores.
Here is a picture of Caerulescens var. Weilii at x400. It looks better on the computer where you can blow the image up, but through the eye piece I can assure you it is very difficult to see much detail.
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Everything I say is fictional and for entertainment purposes only.
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Caesare
Registered: 11/16/15
Posts: 28
Last seen: 7 years, 7 months
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This is a bit of a DIY hack, but maybe you can pull it off.
Get a laser pointer.
Get a normal biconvex lens with appx 10 cm focal length.
The challenge is to keep everything steady.
When you point the laser at the object you want to magnify, place the lens between the laser and the object.
Put a screen (white paper works) and observe the magnified image. Either transmitted or reflected. The magnification will change depending where you put the lens.
Again, the challenge is to keep everything steady
here is a link to the basic idea
http://www.instructables.com/id/DIY-Laser-Projection-Microscope/
I do this in my lab, works awesome, but only 1 color
Estimated costs
Laser pointer $20
Lens $20
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CraterBait
the sexiest
Registered: 10/08/15
Posts: 240
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Re: I need advice for buying a microscope. [Re: micro]
#22535707 - 11/17/15 01:19 AM (9 years, 19 days ago) |
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I can vouche for this. My amscope is quite solid and performs well!
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Groo
sola dosis facit venenum
Registered: 12/06/14
Posts: 2,313
Last seen: 4 months, 17 days
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Re: I need advice for buying a microscope. [Re: CraterBait]
#22554045 - 11/21/15 02:43 AM (9 years, 15 days ago) |
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Consider budgeting a little more and getting a better scope. for 125 you can get this baby. http://www.ebay.com/itm/LED-Lab-Binocular-Compound-Microscope-40X-2500X-w-3D-Two-Layer-Mechanical-Stage-/181837851603?hash=item2a56616bd3:g:hzcAAOSwBLlVGmnt
Binocular eyee, x and y stage. really amazing for a low price. I suggest waiting a little more and buying a tool you and your kid can use and then pass on... and then their kids can pass it in too. Really a good tool
Seriously though $3000 microscope 30 years ago available to the masses for $125 each now. Pretty amazing. That 70$ microscope might have costed you 200 0r 300$ 30 years ago.
Edited by Groo (11/21/15 02:45 AM)
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bodhisatta  
Smurf real estate agent
Registered: 04/30/13
Posts: 61,911
Loc: Milky way
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Re: I need advice for buying a microscope. [Re: Groo]
#22554431 - 11/21/15 07:31 AM (9 years, 15 days ago) |
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The lower cost microscope that will perform for mycology is 150-200.
10x 40x 100x(oil) objectives
Binocular or trinocular
10x eyepieces don't need the 15x shit
Mechanical 3d stage.
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Jake McBaked
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Registered: 01/16/11
Posts: 624
Loc: Cascadia
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Re: I need advice for buying a microscope. [Re: Groo]
#22607464 - 12/03/15 05:31 AM (9 years, 3 days ago) |
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Quote:
Groo said:
Consider budgeting a little more and getting a better scope. for 125 you can get this baby. http://www.ebay.com/itm/LED-Lab-Binocular-Compound-Microscope-40X-2500X-w-3D-Two-Layer-Mechanical-Stage-/181837851603?hash=item2a56616bd3:g:hzcAAOSwBLlVGmnt
Do you use this microscope or have personal experience with it?
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bodhisatta
Smurf real estate agent
Registered: 04/30/13
Posts: 61,911
Loc: Milky way
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Re: I need advice for buying a microscope. [Re: Jake McBaked]
#22607567 - 12/03/15 06:41 AM (9 years, 3 days ago) |
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I have a similar one. They're super cheap but the optics are fine.
The same scope made with a quality body lkke a nikon is 600-1000.
Amscope makes a phase contrast scope for 600-1000
Nikon makes a phase contrast scope starting at 3000/4000
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Groo
sola dosis facit venenum
Registered: 12/06/14
Posts: 2,313
Last seen: 4 months, 17 days
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Re: I need advice for buying a microscope. [Re: bodhisatta] 1
#22608019 - 12/03/15 09:35 AM (9 years, 3 days ago) |
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I personally own the 2 eyepiece $125 am scope.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/NEW-40X-2500X-LED-Lab-Binocular-Compound-Microscope-Two-Layer-Mechanical-Stage-/301621050440?hash=item463a03fc48:g:UAEAAOSwEeFVSHYR
I own that exact same model.
The price was 125 and now its up to 140 or so. But yes I personally own that one and love it!
That microscope is slicker than snott on a doorknob!
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Jake McBaked
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Loc: Cascadia
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Re: I need advice for buying a microscope. [Re: Groo]
#22608752 - 12/03/15 12:58 PM (9 years, 3 days ago) |
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Do you use the computer functionality? Im interested in it but im running windows 8 and it says its not compatible
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Groo
sola dosis facit venenum
Registered: 12/06/14
Posts: 2,313
Last seen: 4 months, 17 days
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Re: I need advice for buying a microscope. [Re: Jake McBaked]
#22609025 - 12/03/15 02:18 PM (9 years, 3 days ago) |
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I remember reading about some comouter functionality and that still confuses me.There is NOT anything to hoop it up to a comp with. I have a microscope USB camera on the way. Or on the way soon correction.. Other than that I don;t know why they say hook it up to a comp.
I have also almost dismantlement mine since the base was loose out of box. There is not some computer access cord...
I didn't say it was 100% perfect without a tune up. But it was pretty close! Needed a little love w/screwdriver to make it not wobble the base part. But everything else is top notch.
Edited by Groo (12/03/15 07:47 PM)
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bodhisatta
Smurf real estate agent
Registered: 04/30/13
Posts: 61,911
Loc: Milky way
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Re: I need advice for buying a microscope. [Re: Groo]
#22609213 - 12/03/15 03:11 PM (9 years, 3 days ago) |
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all of my pictures from the microscope are made by holding a cell phone camera where your eye is supposed to go.
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Groo
sola dosis facit venenum
Registered: 12/06/14
Posts: 2,313
Last seen: 4 months, 17 days
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Re: I need advice for buying a microscope. [Re: bodhisatta]
#22610332 - 12/03/15 07:43 PM (9 years, 3 days ago) |
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Me too. That can be a bit daunting sometimes to get just right as whoever uses a microscope that has tried this understands. I have been eyeballing this for sometime http://www.ebay.com/itm/USB-Digital-0-35MP-Camera-Eyepiece-For-Microscope-US-Stock-/221886727485?hash=item33a97ac53d:g:zWQAAOSwBahVE7eY
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OE800
Registered: 08/11/15
Posts: 20
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Re: I need advice for buying a microscope. [Re: Groo] 1
#22670789 - 12/18/15 05:22 AM (8 years, 11 months ago) |
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This video may be of interest to you, very well put together and really good information:
If I personally were in the market for a microscope this is the video I would want to see before I buy!
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